Audio-signal generation device

ABSTRACT

An audio-signal generation device includes a generation circuit which generates track data and an input unit which receives information input by a user. The generation circuit generates the track data on the basis of information about the user&#39;s body, information about an exercise to be done, and information about a characteristic of a track to which the user listens during the exercise that are input via the input unit.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2005-216682 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jul.27, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio-signal generation device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, there has been a growth in the number of people doingexercises including jogging, walking, running, aerobics, and so forth,so as to maintain and/or increase health, diet, and so forth due toincreased health consciousness. For achieving a predetermined effectthrough the above-described exercises, a person should continueexercising over a certain period of time. Therefore, for making theperson continue doing an exercise with enjoyment, there have beenproposed acoustic-reproduction devices that can aid in motivating theperson to do the exercise and making the person continue doing theexercise by using music and that can display information about aneffective pace of the exercise.

For example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Application Publication No.2001-299980 discloses a device which detects information about the tempoof an exercise done by an exerciser, corrects the tempo of reproducedmusic on the basis of a difference between the pulse rate of theexerciser and a target pulse rate, and guides the exerciser's pulse rateto the target pulse rate.

Japanese Patent Unexamined Application Publication No. 2002-73018discloses the following technologies and/or device. Namely, when anexerciser does an exercise such as aerobics, the technology and/ordevice allows for reading track data written on the basis ofmusical-instrument-digital-interface (MIDI) data from a musicaldatabase, and changing and displaying information about the tempo of aselected track according to exercise conditions (a tempo, a change inthe tempo with reference to an exercise-progression time) representing atarget of the exerciser. Further, Japanese Patent Unexamined ApplicationPublication No. 2001-306071 and Japanese Patent Unexamined ApplicationPublication No. 2003-305146 disclose technologies and/or devices whichallow for reading and displaying track data from a musical databaseprovided on a network and/or the Internet according to exerciseconditions representing a target of an exerciser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined ApplicationPublication No. 2001-299980 requires a measuring device specificallydesigned for measuring the exercise amount and/or pulse rate of theexerciser, so that the entire configuration of the device becomescomplicated.

In the case of the device disclosed in Japanese Patent UnexaminedApplication Publication No. 2002-73018, the device edits a trackaccording the exercise conditions representing the exerciser's target.Therefore, a large-scale system including a synthesizer is required.Further, for reproducing the edited track, data on the edited track istemporarily recorded on a recording medium such as a cassette tape.Thus, the above-described device has poor portability.

Further, each of the devices disclosed in Japanese Patent UnexaminedApplication Publication No. 2001-306071 and Japanese Patent UnexaminedApplication Publication No. 2003-305146 has to access a musical databasevia the Internet, so as to acquire track data, which makes it difficultto operate the device. In the case where the device disclosed inJapanese Patent Unexamined Application Publication No. 2003-305146 isused, an exerciser selects a target track from among many tracks thathad been prepared, which makes it difficult for the exerciser to selecta track with a tempo preferred by the exerciser.

Accordingly, the present invention has been achieved, so as to providean audio-signal generation device which solves the above-describedproblems, has increased portability, and aids in motivating a person todo an exercise including walking, jogging, and so forth, making theperson continue doing the exercise, and making the person do theexercise effectively through simple operations.

An audio-signal generation device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention includes a generation circuit which generates trackdata and an input unit which receives information input by a user. Thegeneration circuit generates the track data on the basis of informationabout the user's body, information about an exercise to be done, andinformation about a characteristic of a track to which the user listensduring the exercise that are input via the input unit.

The present invention allows a user to do an exercise including walking,jogging, and so forth to a track with a tone preferred by the user, andcontinue doing the exercise with enjoyment. Further, if a certain periodof time is required, the user can continue doing the exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device according to another embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3A shows an example display image used for inputting information;

FIG. 3B shows an example display image used for confirming the inputinformation;

FIG. 3C shows another example display image used for inputtinginformation;

FIG. 3D shows another example display image used for confirming theinput information;

FIG. 4A shows another example display image used for inputtinginformation;

FIG. 4B shows another example display image used for confirming theinput information;

FIG. 5A shows an example display image displayed, so as to show a useresult;

FIG. 5B shows an example display image displayed, so as to show anotheruse result;

FIG. 5C shows an example display image displayed, so as to show anotheruse result;

FIG. 6A is a display image showing an example input menu and exampleoptions of the input menu;

FIG. 6B is a display image showing another example input menu andexample options of the input menu;

FIG. 6C is a display image showing another example input menu andexample options of the input menu;

FIG. 6D is a display image showing another example input menu andexample options of the input menu;

FIG. 6E is a display image showing another example input menu andexample options of the input menu;

FIG. 6F is a display image showing another example input menu andexample options of the input menu;

FIG. 7A shows an example exercise mode;

FIG. 7B shows another example exercise mode;

FIG. 7C shows another example exercise mode;

FIG. 7D shows another example exercise mode;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9A shows example details on the above-described exercise mode shownin FIG. 7B;

FIG. 9B shows example details on the above-described exercise mode shownin FIG. 7D; and

FIG. 10 shows example details on a parameter file.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [1] Example Configuration [1-1]Example Appearance

FIG. 1 shows an example appearance of a generation device 10 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, the generation device 10being provided, so as to generate an audio signal. The entire generationdevice 10 is manufactured, as a substantially-flat parallelepiped insuch a size that the generation device 10 can be put into a breastpocket. A liquid-crystal-display (LCD) panel 11 is provided on upperpart of the front of the generation device 10. Further, variousoperation keys 12 including cursor keys (direction keys), an enter key,a cancel key, and so forth are provided on lower part of the front ofthe generation device 10, as input devices. Further, a headphone jack 13is provided on a top face of the generation device 10 so that a plug 41of a pair of headphones (an earphone) 40 can be connected thereto.

Upon receiving various information items and/or condition informationitems transmitted from a user (an exerciser) via the operation key 12,the generation device 10 automatically composes a track according to theinput information items and/or condition information items, where thetrack has characteristics which will be described later. Then, thegeneration device 10 transmits an audio signal of the track to theheadphones 40. Subsequently, the user can exercise with enjoyment to thetrack output from the headphones 40.

[1-2] Example Circuit

FIG. 2 shows an example circuit configuration of the generation device10 which generates the audio signal. The generation device 10 has amicrocomputer 20 provided, as a system-control circuit. Themicrocomputer 20 includes a central-processing unit (CPU 21) executing aprogram, a read-only memory (ROM) 22 storing various programs, arandom-access memory (RAM) 23 which is used, as a work area, and anonvolatile memory 24. Each of the above-described memories 22, 23, and24 is connected to the CPU 21 via a system bus 29. In that case, thenonvolatile memory 24 is provided, so as to store information about theprofile of the exerciser (the user of the generation device 10) and dataon the exercise result or the like. A program stored in the ROM 22 willbe described later.

Further, the generation device 10 includes an exercise-informationsensor 31 and an analysis circuit 32 which analyzes informationtransmitted from the exercise-information sensor 31. More specifically,the exercise-information sensor 31 detects information about the stateof an exercise done by the exerciser. Further, the analysis circuit 32analyzes the detected information output from the exercise-informationsensor 31 and transmits information about the exercise tempo to themicrocomputer 20. For example, when the exerciser does walking, theexercise-information sensor 31 detects motions of the exerciser's bodyand the analysis circuit 32 analyzes the detection result so that atempo pulse is transmitted to the system bus 29 in synchronization withthe walking motion.

Further, the generation device 10 includes a track-data-generationcircuit 33. The track-data-generation circuit 33 automatically generatesdata on a predetermined track according to an instruction transmittedfrom the CPU 21. In the above-described embodiment, for the sake ofsimplicity, when the CPU 21 transmits predetermined information, thatis, information about the track type, mode, speed and tempo, time, tone,genre, and track number, and an instruction to start composing, thetrack-data generation circuit 33 generates digital-audio data on a trackgenerated according to the above-described information and transmits thedigital-audio data to the system bus 29.

Further, the generation device 10 includes and a digital-to-analog (D/A)converter circuit 34 and an audio amplifier 35. The D/A convertercircuit 34 is connected to the system bus 29. Then, the digital-audiodata transmitted from the track-data-generation circuit 33 istransmitted to the D/A converter circuit 34 so that the digital-audiodata is subjected to D/A conversion and converted into an analog-audiosignal. The analog-audio signal is transmitted to the headphone jack 13via the audio amplifier 35 and transmitted to the headphones 40.

Then, the operation key 12 is connected to the system bus 29 via aninterface circuit 36, and a display-control circuit 37 is connected tothe system bus 29 and a display signal is obtained. The display signalis transmitted to the LCD panel 11 so that predetermined text includinga number and a sign is displayed on the LCD panel 11.

[2] Operations and Usage

Here, in the case where walking is done, as the exercise, the generationdevice 10 operates and is used, as below. Namely, when a power keyprovided, as one of the operation keys 12, is pressed down, the power ofthe generation device 10 is turned on. If the power is turned on for thefirst time after the generation device 10 was purchased, the generationdevice 10 enters mode of inputting information about the body of theuser (exerciser), that is, information about the user's profile.

Namely, as shown in FIG. 3A, the LCD panel 11 displays a sentenceencouraging to input the user's profile and input fields used forinputting information about the name, age, height, and body weight ofthe user, for example. If the user inputs necessary information byoperating the operation key 12, the input result is displayed, and theuser is requested to confirm the input result, as shown in FIG. 3B, forexample. FIG. 3B shows the case where a body-mass index (BMI) iscalculated on the basis of the inputted information about the height andthe body weight, and the BMI and an obesity index calculated on thebasis of the BMI are displayed, at the same time.

If an instruction to correct the display contents shown in FIG. 3B istransmitted, the screen image returns to the profile-input screen imageshown in FIG. 3A so that the profile information can be corrected and/orinput again. Then, the confirmation screen image shown in FIG. 3B isdisplayed. Further, when an instruction to approve the display contentsshown in FIG. 3B is transmitted, the mode of inputting information aboutthe user's profile is terminated. At that time, the input informationabout the user's profile is stored in the nonvolatile memory 24.

Further, when the information about the user's profile had already beenstored in the nonvolatile memory 24 at the time where the power of thegeneration device 10 is turned on, that is to say, when the generationdevice 10 is used for the at least second time after the generationdevice 10 was purchased, the input fields used for inputting the nameand age of the user are not displayed, the input fields being shown inFIG. 3A, and only the input fields used for inputting information aboutthe height and weight are displayed, and the user is requested to inputthe information about the height and weight.

Then, following the confirmation display screen shown in FIG. 3B, thegeneration device 10 enters mode of inputting information about anexercise which will be done. For example, the LCD panel 11 displaysinput fields used for inputting information about the type, mode, speedand tempo, and time of the exercise, as shown in FIG. 3C. In that case,the exercise-type information may be shown, as “walking”, “jogging”,“aerobics”, and so forth, as shown in FIG. 6A, for example. When thecursor key of the operation keys 12 is pressed down, the above-describedexercise names are shown in the input fields in sequence. If the name ofa target exercise is displayed, the enter key of the operation keys 12is pressed down.

Further, exercise mode indicates details on the speed and tempo of anexercise, as shown in FIGS. 6B, 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D. For example, mode ofmaking the speed and tempo constant from the first till the end (FIG.7A), mode of making the speed and tempo rise and/or fall at a constantrate (FIG. 7B), mode of making the speed and tempo change periodically(FIG. 7C), and mode of making the speed and tempo change at random (FIG.7D) are provided. Then, the mode selection is performed, as is the casewith the exercise type. Further, the values of the speed and tempo, anda time of the exercise are selected from among values shown in FIGS. 6Cand 6D, as is the case with the mode selection and the exercise type.

Further, when the user inputs necessary information on the input screenimage shown in FIG. 3C, the input result is displayed, as shown in FIG.3D, for example, and the user is requested to confirm the input result.If the user instructs to correct the display contents shown in FIG. 3D,the screen image returns to the input screen shown in FIG. 3C so thatinformation about an exercise the user is going to do can be corrected.Then, the screen image advances to a confirmation screen image shown inFIG. 3D. Further, if the user approves the display contents shown inFIG. 3D, the mode of inputting information relating to the exercise theuser is going to do is terminated. At that time, the input informationabout the exercise the user going to do is stored in the nonvolatilememory 24.

Then, following the confirmation screen image shown in FIG. 3D, thegeneration device 10 enters mode of inputting information about thecharacteristics of at least one track to which the user listens while hedoes the exercise. For example, the LCD panel 11 shows input fields usedfor inputting information about the tone, genre, number of the track, asshown in FIG. 4A. In that case, the tone information indicates the toneof a track composed by a track-data generation circuit 33. For example,information items indicating “slowly”, “gently”, “peacefully”,“brightly”, and “lively” are provided, as shown in FIG. 6E so that theuser selects a desired information item from among the above-describedinformation items. Further, the genre information denotes the genre ofthe track composed by the track-data generation circuit 33. For example,information items indicating “pop”, “rock”, “jazz”, “heavy metal” and soforth are provided, as shown in FIG. 6F so that the user selects adesired information item from among the above-described informationitems. Further, the track-number information indicates the number of atleast one track composed while the user does one walking (one exercise).

Then, when the user inputs necessary information, the input result isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, and the user is requestedto confirm the input result. If the user instructs to correct thedisplay contents shown in FIG. 4B, the screen image returns to the inputscreen shown in FIG. 4A so that a request made for a track which will becomposed can be corrected. Then, the screen image advances to theconfirmation screen image shown in FIG. 4B. Further, if the usertransmits an instruction to approve the display contents shown in FIG.4B, the mode of inputting the request made for the track to which theuser listens while he does the exercise is terminated. At that time, theinput information about the request made for the track is stored in thenonvolatile memory 24.

When the enter key of the operation keys 12 is pressed down after theabove-described information is input, the track-data generation circuit33 starts generating digital-audio data on the track automatically, andthe digital-audio data is transmitted to the D/A converter circuit 24 sothat the track is output from the headphones 40. Then, the user performsan exercise such as walking at the tempo of the track output from theheadphones 40. Hereinafter, the description will be given on the premisethat the user does walking.

In that case, the tempo of the track output from the headphones 40 isdetermined according to the tempo information input on the input screenimage shown in FIG. 3C. Predetermined mode is selected from among themodes shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D according to information inputon the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C. Further, the tone and genreof the current track satisfies predetermined conditions, that is, theinformation input on the input screen image shown in FIG. 4A.

Subsequently, the details on the track output from the headphones 40respond to the request made by the user. Therefore, the user can enjoywalking during an exercise time period determined according to theinformation input on the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C.

While the user does walking, the exercise-information sensor 31 detectsthe motion of the user's body and the analysis circuit 32 outputs apulse in synchronization with the user's walking. Subsequently, themicrocomputer 20 can obtain information about the walking state of theuser by monitoring the pulse. The walking-state information includesinformation about the speed (tempo), an actual walking time, and soforth.

Therefore, while the user does walking, the tempo of the pulse outputfrom the analysis circuit 32 is detected. More specifically, thedifference between the walking tempo and the tempo of the automaticallycomposed track is detected, and the following messages are displayed onthe LCD panel 11 according to the detection result, for example.

Namely,

(1) When the tempo of walking agrees with the track tempo while the userwalks.

“You walk at appropriate pace. Please continue walking at this speed.”

(2) When the tempo of walking is slower than the track tempo while theuser walks.

“You walk too slowly. Please walk at quicker tempo.”

(3) When the tempo of walking is faster than the track tempo while theuser walks.

“You walk too fast. Please walk at slower tempo.”

(4) When the user does not start walking even though track performanceis started.

“Please start walking!”

(5) When the user stops walking.

“Please continue walking!”

Further, while the user walks, a time which had elapsed and a walkingamount which had been accumulated since the user started walking aremeasured.

Then, when an exercise time determined according to the informationinput on the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C elapses, the track-datageneration circuit 33 finishes generating the track data and theheadphones 40 stop outputting the track. At that time, exerciseinformation is calculated on the basis of the information input on theinput screen image shown in FIG. 3C and a result of monitoring the pulseoutput from the analysis circuit 32. The exercise information includesinformation about the execution time, distance, average speed, calorieconsumption, fat-burning amount, and so forth of the walking. Theabove-described exercise information is displayed on the LCD panel 11,as shown in FIG. 5A, for example.

However, the above-described exercise information can be displayed, asshown in FIG. 5A, only when the user does walking in an appropriatemanner according to the information input on the input screen imageshown in FIG. 3C. That is to say, when the user takes time off duringwalking and/or walks at slower tempo, for example, a predeterminedexercise amount (the exercise amount calculated on the basis of theinformation input on the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C) is notattained even though the time determined according to the informationinput on the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C elapses.

In that case, therefore, predetermined sentences are displayed on theLCD panel 11, so as to inform the user that the predetermined exerciseamount is not attained and ask the user whether or not the usercontinues walking till the predetermined exercise amount is attained.

On the contrary, if the tempo of walking is quickened, the predeterminedexercise amount is attained before the time determined according to theinformation input on the input screen image shown in FIG. 3C elapses. Inthat case, therefore, predetermined sentences are displayed on the LCDpanel 11, so as to inform the user that the predetermined exerciseamount is attained and ask the user whether or not the user continueswalking till the predetermined time elapses.

Then, when information indicating that the user continues walking isinput on the inquiry screen image shown in FIG. 5B and/or FIG. 5C, thetrack-data generation and the walking monitoring is started again. Ifthe predetermined exercise amount is attained and/or the exercise timecorresponding to the input exercise-time information elapses, the trackgeneration is finished, and the exercise result is displayed, as is thecase with FIG. 5A, and the entire processing is finished.

Further, when an instruction to finish walking is input on the inquiryscreen image shown in FIG. 5B and/or FIG. 5C, information about theexercise amount and the exercise time that had been attained until thenis displayed, as is the case with FIG. 5A, and the entire processing isfinished.

Thus, according to the generation device 10, the user can walk to thetrack, where the tempo of the track used for the walking is set by theuser, and the tone and/or genre of the track is determined according tothe preference of the user.

Subsequently, over a certain period of time, the user can continuewalking with enjoyment. Further, since the track used for walking isautomatically generated, the user does not have to collect favoritetracks from a compact disc (CD) or the like without concern forcopyrights or the like.

[3] Example Processing Routine

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 100 denotes an example routine provided, soas to execute the processing described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 7D.The routine 100 is prepared in the ROM 22 and executed by the CPU 21.FIG. 8 shows part of the routine 100, the part being related to thepresent invention.

Namely, when the power of the generation device 10 is turned on, the CPU21 starts performing processing at step 101 of the routine 100. Then,each of the above-described units is initialized, at step 102, and thegeneration device 10 enters the mode of inputting information about theexerciser's profile, which was described with reference to FIGS. 3A and3B, at step 103. After inputting and confirming the exerciser's profile,the corresponding data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 24.

Then, at step 104, the generation device 10 enters the mode of inputtinginformation about an exercise the user is going to do, which wasdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3C and 3D. After inputting andconfirming necessary information relating to the exercise, thecorresponding data is stored into the nonvolatile memory 24. Then, theprocessing advances to step 105 where the generation device 10 entersthe mode of inputting information about the track used while theexercise is done, which was described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Then, after inputting and confirming the necessary information relatingto the track, the corresponding data is stored in the nonvolatile memory24. After that, at step 106, a predetermined exercise amount iscalculated on the basis of the data which is input at step 104. Then, atstep 107, the generation device 10 waits until an instruction to startautomatic track-composition is issued.

Then, when the enter key of the operation keys 12 is pressed down, theprocessing advances to step 111 and the instruction to start automatictrack-composition is transmitted to the track-data generation circuit33. At that time, the information which is input and stored in thenonvolatile memory 24 at steps 104 and 105, namely, the informationabout the type, mode, speed and tempo, time, tone, genre, and number ofthe track is transmitted to the track-data generation circuit 33.

Therefore, the automatic track-data generation is started at step 111and the track data is generated according to a user's request acquired,at step 105. Since the track is output from the headphones 40, theexerciser (the user of the generation device 10) starts walking to thetrack.

On the other hand, the processing executed by the CPU 21 advances fromstep 111 to step 112 where it is determined whether or not the timecorresponding to the exercise-time information acquired at step 104 hadelapsed since the processing corresponding to step 111 was performed.Since the time had not elapsed in the above-described embodiment, theprocessing advances from step 112 to step 113 where it is determinedwhether or not the amount of the exercise done by the exerciser hadreached the predetermined exercise amount calculated at step 106. Inthat case, the amount of the exercise done by the exerciser had notreached the predetermined exercise amount. Therefore, the processingadvances from step 113 to step 114.

At step 114, the generation device 10 waits over a predetermined unittime period ΔT (e.g., ΔT=one minute). Then, at step 115, a counterindicating a time which had elapsed since the processing correspondingto step 111 was performed, that is, a counter indicating a time whichhad elapsed since the track output was started is incremented. At step112, it is determined whether or not the time corresponding to theexercise-time information acquired at step 104 had elapsed on the basisof the elapsed time indicated by the counter.

Then, the processing advances to step 116 where the exercise amountwhich had been accumulated since the exercise was started is calculatedaccording to a method which will be described later. At step 117, thestate of the exercise done by the exerciser is determined on the basisof the cycle of the pulse output from the analysis circuit 32 and theelapsed-time information acquired at step 115, and the messagecorresponding to the determination result is selected from among themessages (1) to (5) and displayed on the LCD panel 111. Then, theprocessing returns to step 112.

Therefore, if the time corresponding to the exercise-time informationinput at step 104 had not elapsed and the exercise amount had notreached the predetermined exercise amount calculated at step 106, theprocessing corresponding to steps 112 to 117 is repeated. While theprocessing is repeated, the accumulated amount of the exercise done bythe exerciser is calculated, and a message appropriate for the state ofthe exerciser is selected from among the messages (1) to (5) anddisplayed on the LCD panel 11.

When the time corresponding to the exercise-time information input atstep 104 elapses while the processing corresponding to steps 112 to 117is repeated, it is determined that the above-described time elapsed, atstep 112. As a result, the processing advances from step 112 to step 121where it is determined whether or not the accumulated exercise amountcalculated at step 116 reaches the predetermined exercise amountcalculated at step 106.

If the accumulated exercise amount reaches the predetermined exerciseamount, the processing advances from step 121 to step 122 where theexercise result is evaluated. The details on the evaluation aredisplayed on the LCD panel 11, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, at step123. Then, at step 124, the routine 100 is finished.

However, when the determination result obtained at step 121 does notshow that the accumulated exercise amount reaches the predeterminedexercise amount, the processing advances from step 121 to step 131 wherethe result of the exercise that had been performed until then isevaluated. At step 132, details on the evaluation are displayed on theLCD panel 11, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example.

Then, the processing advances to step 135 where the generation device 10waits till an instruction is issued, the instruction relating to whetheror not the exercise should be continued. If the instruction indicatesthat the exercise should be continued, the processing returns from step135 to step 111 so that the processing corresponding to steps 112 to 117is repeated again. Further, if the instruction does not indicate thatthe exercise should be continued, at step 135, the processing advancesfrom step 135 to step 136 where the routine 100 is terminated.

When the exercise amount corresponding to the predeterminedexercise-amount information input at step 104 is attained while theprocessing corresponding to steps 112 to 117 is repeated, it isdetermined that the above-described exercise amount is attained, at step113. As a result of the determination, the processing advances from step113 to step 133 where the result of the exercise that had been doneuntil then is evaluated. Then, at step 134, details on the evaluationare displayed on the LCD panel 11, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example.

Then, the processing advances to step 135 where the generation device 10waits till an instruction is issued, the instruction relating to whethernot the exercise should be continued. If the instruction indicates thatthe exercise should be continued, the processing returns from step 135to step 111 so that the processing corresponding to steps 112 to 117 isrepeated again. Further, if the instruction does not indicate that theexercise should be continued, at step 135, the processing advances fromstep 135 to step 136 where the routine 100 is terminated.

[4] Example Method for Calculating Exercise Amount

The exercise amount may be calculated according to various methodsincluding a method performed by using metabolic equivalents (METS), forexample. In that case, METS denotes an index showing how many times isthe amount of oxygen consumed during the exercise larger than thatconsumed during resting. Further, the index METS denotes the exerciseintensity. Namely, the index METS can be shown by the followingexpressions: $\begin{matrix}{{METS} = {{oxygen}\text{-}{intake}\quad{amount}\quad{during}\quad{the}\quad{exercising}\quad{time}\text{/}}} \\{{oxygen}\text{-}{intake}\quad{amount}\quad{during}\quad{the}\quad{resting}\quad{time}} \\{= {\left( {R + H + V} \right)\text{/}R}}\end{matrix}$  R: oxygen-intake amount during the resting time=3.5[ml/kg·min]

H: horizontal-movement element

V: vertical-movement element

Further, for example, the following expressions hold.H=0.1×velocity [m/min] during the walking timeH=0.2×velocity [m/min] during the running timeV=0.9×velocity [m/min]×inclination [rad]

Therefore, when the exerciser walks at a speed of five kilometers per anhour, the following expressions hold. $\begin{matrix}{H = {0.1 \times 5000\text{/}{60\quad\left\lbrack {m\text{/}\min} \right\rbrack}}} \\{= {8.33\quad\left\lbrack {m\text{/}\min} \right\rbrack}} \\{V = {0.9 \times 5000\text{/}{60\quad\left\lbrack {m\text{/}\min} \right\rbrack} \times 0}} \\{= 0}\end{matrix}$

Subsequently, the value of METS in the above-described embodiment can beexpressed by the following expressions: $\begin{matrix}{{METS} = {\left( {3.5 + 8.33 + 0} \right)/3.5}} \\{= {3.38.}}\end{matrix}$

Next, the exercise amount, that is, the energy-consumption amount can beexpressed, as below.energy-consumption amount [kcal]=weight [kg]×exercise time [h]×METSvalue

For example, when a person weighing sixty kilograms walks over thirtyminutes at a speed of five kilometers per an hour, the followingexpressions hold. $\begin{matrix}{{{energy}\text{-}{consumption}\quad{{amount}\quad\lbrack{kcal}\rbrack}} = {{60\quad\lbrack{kg}\rbrack} \times {0.5\quad\lbrack h\rbrack} \times 3.38}} \\{= {101\quad\lbrack{kcal}\rbrack}}\end{matrix}$

Further, the fat-burning amount can be expressed, as below.

calories necessary for burning one gram of fat=7700 [cal]

Therefore, the following expression holds.fat-burning amount [g]=energy consumption [cal]/7700 [cal]

When the above-described values are obtained, the following expressionshold. $\begin{matrix}{{{fat}\text{-}{burning}\quad{{amount}\quad\lbrack g\rbrack}} = {{101\quad\lbrack{cal}\rbrack}/{7700\quad\lbrack{cal}\rbrack}}} \\{= {13.1\quad\lbrack g\rbrack}}\end{matrix}$

Further, there are relationships that can be expressed by the followingexpressions:step [cm]=height [cm]×0.45walk distance [cm]=step [cm]×step number.

Therefore, when a person who is 170 cm in height walks over thirtyminutes to a track of which tempo is fixed at 120 beats per minute(BPM), the walk distance can be expressed by the following expressions:$\begin{matrix}{{{walk}\quad{distance}} = {{170\quad\lbrack{cm}\rbrack} \times 0.45 \times {{120\quad\lbrack{time}\rbrack}/}}} \\{{60\quad\left\lbrack \sec \right\rbrack} \times {30\quad\left\lbrack \min \right\rbrack} \times {60\quad\left\lbrack \sec \right\rbrack}} \\{= {{2.754\quad\lbrack{km}\rbrack}.}}\end{matrix}$

The above-described numerical values can be displayed, as the exerciseresult, as shown in FIG. 5A.

Further, the exercise tempo can be determined not only by using the datainput at step 104, but also the tempo data detected by theexercise-information sensor 31. In the latter case, the actual exerciseamount can be obtained with precision. If the exercise tempo changes, asis the case with FIGS. 7B to 7D, for example, the actual exercise amountcan be calculated by obtaining the METS value and the walk-distanceamount every time the unit time ΔT elapses and adding the obtained METSvalues and walk-distance amounts to one another.

[5] Example Data in Exercise-Tempo Changing Mode

The exercise tempo rises and falls in the exercise mode shown in FIG.7B. Actually, the above-described mode, that is, the rise-and-fall modecan be achieved by using the tempo information, the exercise-timeinformation, the track-genre information, the tone information, thetrack-number information in combination, as shown in FIG. 9A.

Namely, FIG. 9A shows the case where the exercise time is determined tobe sixty minutes. More specifically, for the first five minutes, thetempo is determined to be 80 BPM, the track genre is determined to bepop, the track tone is determined to be slow, and the track number isdetermined to be one. For the following ten minutes, the tempo isdetermined to be 100 BPM, the track genre is determined to be pop, thetrack tone is determined to be gentle, and the track number isdetermined to be two. The above-described determination is made also forthe following thirty minutes, for example.

FIG. 7D shows the case where random mode is selected, as the exercisemode. When the random mode is selected, information items can be used incombination, as shown in FIG. 9B. Namely, for the first ten minutes, thetempo is determined to be 80 BPM, the track genre is determined to bepop, the track tone is determined to be slow, and the track number isdetermined to be one. For the following ten minutes, the tempo isdetermined to be 130 BPM, the track genre is determined to be rock, thetrack tone is determined to be bright, and the track number isdetermined to be two. The above-described determination is made also forthe following ten minutes, for example.

In either of the above-described exercise modes, the expression ΔT=oneminute holds, for example. Further, the METS value and the walk-distancevalue are calculated every time the unit time ΔT elapses, and thecalculation results are added up so that the total exercise amount (theenergy consumption) or the like is calculated.

[6] Example Track-Generation Method

When composing, a parameter file is prepared so that track data can begenerated on the basis of details on the parameter file. FIG. 10 showsan example parameter file used for generating the track data. In thatcase, the track genre is determined to be pop. The parameter file isprepared in the ROM 22 and interpreted by the CPU 21. Then, datanecessary for generating the track data is transmitted to the track-datageneration circuit 33.

Therefore, the parameter file stores information about instruments,rhythm, chord progression, performance style, and performance rule.Further, if the exercise tempo is determined to be 120 BPM, the exercisetime is determined to be thirty minutes, the track tone is determined tobe bright and rhythmical, the track genre is determined to be pop, andthe track number is determined to be one, as the composition conditions,data on a predetermined track is generated over thirty minutes, wherethe rhythm thereof is determined to be sixteen beats, the chordprogression is determined to be C-F-G-C of a major chord (bright),chord-only performance, the rhythm is emphasized (rhythmical), and thetempo is determined to be 120 BPM.

[7] Summary

The above-described generation device 10 allows the exerciser to do anexercise including walking, jogging, and so forth to the track, wherethe tempo of the track used for the exercise is set by the exerciser andthe tone and/or genre of the track is determined according to thepreference of the exerciser. Further, the generation device 10 can becarried and used by the exerciser through simple operations when theexerciser does the exercise including walking, jogging, and so forth.

Therefore, the user can keep on doing an exercise and continue doing theexercise over a certain period of time. Further, since the track usedfor the exercise is automatically generated, the user does not have tocollect favorite tracks from a CD or the like without concern forcopyrights or the like.

[8] Other Embodiments

According to the above-described embodiments, the CPU 21 transmits thedata necessary for generating the track data to the track-datageneration circuit 33, and the track-data generation circuit 33automatically generates the track data according to the transmittednecessary data. As for the tempo and/or time of the track, however, theCPU 21 may control the track-data generation circuit 33 in real time, soas to attain a desired tempo and/or time.

Further, according to the above-described embodiments, the track tempois determined according to the speed-and-tempo information input by theuser. However, it is also possible to generate data on a track of whichtempo is determined according to tempo information detected by theexercise-information sensor 31. Further, it is also possible tocalculate the exercise amount according to the tempo informationdetected by the exercise-information sensor 31. Further, if an integerratio stands between the track tempo and the tempo of an exercise doneby the user, the exercise can be done. Therefore, it may be determinedthat the integer ratio stands between the track tempo and the tempo ofthe exercise done by the user.

Further, the user's body information may include information about theage, birthday, sex, step and so forth of the user in addition to theinformation about the height and weight of the user. Further, theparameter file shown in FIG. 10 may be prepared in a purpose-builtstorage device.

Further, the track information, the exercise-amount information, and theuser's body information obtained when the user does the exercise may bestored, as historical data. The historical data can be retrieved, asrequired, so as to aid in managing the exercise amount. Further, thetrack-data generation circuit 33 may store and reuse the track datagenerated by the track-data generation circuit 33. The generated trackdata may be stored in a predetermined storage device including anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, asemiconductor memory, an integrated-circuit (IC) card, and so forth.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An audio-signal generation device comprising: a generation circuit which generates track data; and input means which receives information input by a user, wherein the generation circuit generates the track data on the basis of information about the user's body, information about an exercise to be done, and information about a characteristic of a track to which the user listens during the exercise that are input via the input means.
 2. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 1, wherein the exercise information input via the input means indicates at least one of a tempo of the exercise, a time of the exercise, and a type of the exercise.
 3. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 1, wherein the track-characteristic information input via the input means includes at least one of rhythm information, genre information, chord-progression information, tonality information, track-number information, repeat-number information, and a combination of at least two of the rhythm information, the genre information, the chord-progression information, the tonality information, the track-number information, and the repeat-number information.
 4. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 1, wherein the user's-body information input via the input means includes at least one of height information, weight information, age information, sex information, and step information.
 5. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 1, further comprising: calculation means which calculates an amount of the exercise when the user does the exercise to a track performed on the basis of the track data generated by the generation circuit; and output means which outputs information about the exercise amount calculated by the calculation means, as exercise-amount information.
 6. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 5, wherein the exercise-amount information indicates at least one of an exercise time, an exercise intensity, an exercise amount, a calorie consumption, and a fat-burning amount.
 7. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 6, further comprising storage means storing at least one of the track information, the exercise-amount information, and the information about the user's body.
 8. The audio-signal generation device according to claim 7, wherein the storage means includes at least one of an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and an integrated-circuit card.
 9. An audio-signal generation device comprising: a generation circuit which generates track data; and an input unit which receives information input by a user, wherein the generation circuit generates the track data on the basis of information about the user's body, information about an exercise to be done, and information about a characteristic of a track to which the user listens during the exercise that are input via the input unit. 